Search
Search results
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Love, Hate, and Other Filters in Books
Apr 15, 2021
A lovely teen read that delves into deep topics
This is the twelfth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!
Maya Aziz feels like she lives two lives. In one, she's the dutiful daughter to her Indian Muslim parents: attending college near home, marrying a suitable Muslim boy, and becoming a lawyer. In the other, she goes to school in New York City to become a filmmaker and falls in love with whomever she wants--maybe even Phil, the boy she's loved forever. And in Maya's real world, horrible things happen, often hate crime motivated, that can turn her world upside down.
This is such a beautiful book, and I completely fell in love with Maya and her voice. As the child of the only Indian Muslim family in her small suburban Chicago town, she's always felt different. She dreams of making films, not conforming the way her parents desire. But she also wants to please them. And she's scared, as she deals with all the terrible bigotry and Islamophobia that her family faces.
Ahmed writes so lyrically, weaving her story about Maya finding her way in the world, while still painting a stark and timely picture of racism. It's a bit of a love story, yes, but also one of discovering yourself and finding strength in yourself and the people around you. Maya and Phil's relationship is sweet, and it's so easy to root for her on all levels.
I found this to be a profound read. In many ways, it's simply about a teenager trying to stand up for herself, but it also speaks deeply about Islamophobia. It's often sad, but it's quite hopeful too. I found myself tearing up a bit while reading. Definitely worth a read. 4.5 stars.
Maya Aziz feels like she lives two lives. In one, she's the dutiful daughter to her Indian Muslim parents: attending college near home, marrying a suitable Muslim boy, and becoming a lawyer. In the other, she goes to school in New York City to become a filmmaker and falls in love with whomever she wants--maybe even Phil, the boy she's loved forever. And in Maya's real world, horrible things happen, often hate crime motivated, that can turn her world upside down.
This is such a beautiful book, and I completely fell in love with Maya and her voice. As the child of the only Indian Muslim family in her small suburban Chicago town, she's always felt different. She dreams of making films, not conforming the way her parents desire. But she also wants to please them. And she's scared, as she deals with all the terrible bigotry and Islamophobia that her family faces.
Ahmed writes so lyrically, weaving her story about Maya finding her way in the world, while still painting a stark and timely picture of racism. It's a bit of a love story, yes, but also one of discovering yourself and finding strength in yourself and the people around you. Maya and Phil's relationship is sweet, and it's so easy to root for her on all levels.
I found this to be a profound read. In many ways, it's simply about a teenager trying to stand up for herself, but it also speaks deeply about Islamophobia. It's often sad, but it's quite hopeful too. I found myself tearing up a bit while reading. Definitely worth a read. 4.5 stars.
James Dean Bradfield recommended Alice In Chains by Alice In Chains in Music (curated)
ClareR (5686 KP) rated The End of Men in Books
Jun 8, 2021
Oh. My. Goodness. This book is totally my cup of tea (unlike in this book, it has both tea and milk in it). I’ve always been drawn to science fiction, dystopian and apocalyptic styles of novels ever since I read Stephen Kings The Stand as a teenager. The End of Men drew me in and had me checking the news outlets, just to check that Covid-19 hadn’t taken a turn for the even worse - and I’m not joking here. I did question whether reading a book about a global pandemic during a global pandemic was a good idea, and then I told myself to shut up, sit back and just enjoy it (much the same as when I read Last One at The Party by Bethany Clift!). And I really did!
This is told from multiple perspectives. There are mostly recurring characters, such as Dr Maclean, some scientists, the anthropologist, intelligence and government types, interspersed with ‘ordinary’ people who were also affected and lost friends and family. We see perspectives from all over the world. The voices of these people all seem so real: their pain, confusion and determination coming through in their own voices, as their stories are all told in journal form.
The End of Men had pretty much the same effect on me as World War Z: I was checking the news and the windows (just in case), completely preoccupied with the book whilst I was reading it, and I predictably experienced a stonking book-hangover when it ended.
This is science fiction for people who wouldn’t normally pick up science fiction (a bit like a gateway drug!). It reads like contemporary fiction - the here and now.
This novel had me on the edge of my seat and in tears - and a bit angry at times, truth be told. This doesn’t feel like you’re reading science-fiction, it has a tinge of the non-fiction about it. Perhaps that’s because of the times we’re living in...
Would I recommend it? You’d better believe I would!
This is told from multiple perspectives. There are mostly recurring characters, such as Dr Maclean, some scientists, the anthropologist, intelligence and government types, interspersed with ‘ordinary’ people who were also affected and lost friends and family. We see perspectives from all over the world. The voices of these people all seem so real: their pain, confusion and determination coming through in their own voices, as their stories are all told in journal form.
The End of Men had pretty much the same effect on me as World War Z: I was checking the news and the windows (just in case), completely preoccupied with the book whilst I was reading it, and I predictably experienced a stonking book-hangover when it ended.
This is science fiction for people who wouldn’t normally pick up science fiction (a bit like a gateway drug!). It reads like contemporary fiction - the here and now.
This novel had me on the edge of my seat and in tears - and a bit angry at times, truth be told. This doesn’t feel like you’re reading science-fiction, it has a tinge of the non-fiction about it. Perhaps that’s because of the times we’re living in...
Would I recommend it? You’d better believe I would!
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated The Fate of the Furious (2017) in Movies
Jun 23, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
Hobbs and the family are back to face their most dangerous enemy yet, Dom in the 8th instalment of the 'Fast and Furious' franchise.
Like the last few films in the franchise, Fate tries to go bigger and louder with more action, guns, missiles, tanks and submarines although there is less time spent on the actual cars.
The film adds more of an element of mystery and questions the ties of family more than any of the other films when the team is betrayed by one of their own and they need to find out why,
I think 'Fate' has more stand out scenes than some of the other films in the franchise, mainly (and spoilers here) The prison break and Shaw shooting up the plane whilst carrying the baby.
I feel that we are now getting into the realms of 'more of the same', the first first few films tried to be a bit different but now we are getting 'The family gets hired by someone, mission goes bad, family need to sort it out' and this isn't necessarily a bad thing, trying to keep thing different is what lead to Tokyo drift, which most fans think is the worst of the franchise.
It's also nice knowing what you are going to get , a fast paced action film, with cars that is relatively safe for most people to watch. That is that, although there is some violence and peril, the language it quite tame, the humour is not to crude and, although there are plenty walking around with not much on, the franchise has never fallen into the trap of relying on sex to spice things up. Instead it keeps the pace fast, the story's (relatively) simple and the one liners fun.
Over all Fate of the Furious is a good addition to a franchise that is getting more over the top by the film.
Like the last few films in the franchise, Fate tries to go bigger and louder with more action, guns, missiles, tanks and submarines although there is less time spent on the actual cars.
The film adds more of an element of mystery and questions the ties of family more than any of the other films when the team is betrayed by one of their own and they need to find out why,
I think 'Fate' has more stand out scenes than some of the other films in the franchise, mainly (and spoilers here) The prison break and Shaw shooting up the plane whilst carrying the baby.
I feel that we are now getting into the realms of 'more of the same', the first first few films tried to be a bit different but now we are getting 'The family gets hired by someone, mission goes bad, family need to sort it out' and this isn't necessarily a bad thing, trying to keep thing different is what lead to Tokyo drift, which most fans think is the worst of the franchise.
It's also nice knowing what you are going to get , a fast paced action film, with cars that is relatively safe for most people to watch. That is that, although there is some violence and peril, the language it quite tame, the humour is not to crude and, although there are plenty walking around with not much on, the franchise has never fallen into the trap of relying on sex to spice things up. Instead it keeps the pace fast, the story's (relatively) simple and the one liners fun.
Over all Fate of the Furious is a good addition to a franchise that is getting more over the top by the film.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Doctor Who: Sleepy in Books
Nov 30, 2020
This was a re-read for me, as I had read SLEEPY when it first came out in the late 90s. While I remembered parts of the book, it was, more or less, like it was fresh. Most of my time was spent "gobbling" as many books as I could, allowing me to "escape" the humdrum life I was leading and my not-so-cool bachelorhood. So, yeah, a fresh start of sorts to this read.
SLEEPY is the first book that begins the overarching "Psi Powers" story line. Author Kate Orman wastes no time, throwing us right into the deep end of the pool as the book opens! The ride that begins never lets up, providing with well-fleshed out characters and minor characters, as well as providing an intriguing and thought-provoking backstory.
In both the Virgin <i>New Adventures</i> as well as the BBC's <i>Eighth Doctor Adventures</i>, Orman was always favorite of mine, as well as a number of the pre-NuWHO fans. Her characters, goodies <b>and</b> baddies, were always full of depth, giving something than us tropes. The Doctor, regardless of the Incarnation, was treated properly, offering a much better Doctor than the new series has shown us.
The book requires focus when reading. That is, it works better if you can read it in room without distractions (musical film scores playing in the background don't count as a distracting), without anyone trying to talk to you while you're trying to read, i.e. my wife (!). There's some truly heady stuff going on the pages within, and if you ride it out, you will not be disappointed!
In the 61 <i>New Adventures</i> that Virgin Books published from 1991-96, there are several that stand out as cornerstones of the WHO-niverse. SLEEPY is one of those "cornerstones". If you see this out in your travels, perusing a cool used book shop, pick this book up, as it well worth the time!
SLEEPY is the first book that begins the overarching "Psi Powers" story line. Author Kate Orman wastes no time, throwing us right into the deep end of the pool as the book opens! The ride that begins never lets up, providing with well-fleshed out characters and minor characters, as well as providing an intriguing and thought-provoking backstory.
In both the Virgin <i>New Adventures</i> as well as the BBC's <i>Eighth Doctor Adventures</i>, Orman was always favorite of mine, as well as a number of the pre-NuWHO fans. Her characters, goodies <b>and</b> baddies, were always full of depth, giving something than us tropes. The Doctor, regardless of the Incarnation, was treated properly, offering a much better Doctor than the new series has shown us.
The book requires focus when reading. That is, it works better if you can read it in room without distractions (musical film scores playing in the background don't count as a distracting), without anyone trying to talk to you while you're trying to read, i.e. my wife (!). There's some truly heady stuff going on the pages within, and if you ride it out, you will not be disappointed!
In the 61 <i>New Adventures</i> that Virgin Books published from 1991-96, there are several that stand out as cornerstones of the WHO-niverse. SLEEPY is one of those "cornerstones". If you see this out in your travels, perusing a cool used book shop, pick this book up, as it well worth the time!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Shadow Sands (Kate Marshall #2) in Books
Oct 24, 2020
I stupidly thought that you wouldn't be able to better or even come close to be as good as the first in this series "Nine Elms", which was one of my all time top reads, but I was so wrong ... Mr Bryndza has written another doozy of a book that I absolutely gobbled up. You don't have to have read the first story as this works as a stand alone BUT you really should!
Once again, I was totally engrossed from the first to the last word and became totally invested in the strong characters and their stories. The pace felt spot on for me and the tension, particularly when the story is being told from the victim's side, was spine-tinglingly good. Similarly, when the story is told from the killer's point of view, there were times when I got shivers up my neck he was so cold and matter-of-fact about the terror he was inflicting on a fellow human being - it was perfect.
As I've said, the characters are strong. The relationship between Kate and Tristan feels natural and genuine and I really feel for them as they go through their own struggles as if they were real people such is the strength of how they have been developed by the author. I thought it was genius to have Peter Conway (from Nine Elms) make an appearance and I hope we get to "see" more of him in subsequent books.
Mr Bryndza says "there are lots more books to come, and I hope you stay with me for the ride!" ... well, I certainly will and can't wait for the next instalment.
Highly recommended for readers who love dark, exciting, suspense-filled stories that despite making you feel ill at ease at times, you read on into the night.
I am so grateful to Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for providing my advance copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Once again, I was totally engrossed from the first to the last word and became totally invested in the strong characters and their stories. The pace felt spot on for me and the tension, particularly when the story is being told from the victim's side, was spine-tinglingly good. Similarly, when the story is told from the killer's point of view, there were times when I got shivers up my neck he was so cold and matter-of-fact about the terror he was inflicting on a fellow human being - it was perfect.
As I've said, the characters are strong. The relationship between Kate and Tristan feels natural and genuine and I really feel for them as they go through their own struggles as if they were real people such is the strength of how they have been developed by the author. I thought it was genius to have Peter Conway (from Nine Elms) make an appearance and I hope we get to "see" more of him in subsequent books.
Mr Bryndza says "there are lots more books to come, and I hope you stay with me for the ride!" ... well, I certainly will and can't wait for the next instalment.
Highly recommended for readers who love dark, exciting, suspense-filled stories that despite making you feel ill at ease at times, you read on into the night.
I am so grateful to Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for providing my advance copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated King Series Bundle (King, #1-4) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
I read the first one back in December and was drawn into the story especially with how it just ended. Then I saw the four book box set for 99p and bought it straight away.
KING - 4 stars
WTF?! You can't just end it like that!
What a way to end it. Who's the kid? Where's Max?
I really need to read Tyrant now to see how it all plays out. I'm sure everything will work out in the end but something tells me it's going to be a bumpy ride.
TYRANT - 3.5 stars
I finished it a little before midnight and got all the answers I needed but I honestly didn't see a lot of it coming. I liked how the author put some serious thought into who was who and how it was going to link it all together in the end.
I still love Preppy!!
LAWLESS - 3 stars
I liked Bear so I was interested in what girl was going to turn his head and never did I think a little girl who he made a promise to ten years ago would be the one. I loved that scene! BUT what is with this series and ten year age gaps?
I have to also admit that by the end of this that I was beginning to lose interest in this series. It's being dragged out for too long. Just go and kill your arse of a dad already!
SOULLESS - DNF
I lost interest in this. I got fed up of the same stuff happening. People want him dead. People just seem to want everyone dead in this series and I didn't care anymore, hence me getting to chapter four and not wanting to carry on.
It might have been better if i'd read something in between each book to break them up somewhat.
I stand by what I keep saying about Preppy being my favourite and I might read his story when it's released but for the rest of them. Nope.
KING - 4 stars
WTF?! You can't just end it like that!
What a way to end it. Who's the kid? Where's Max?
I really need to read Tyrant now to see how it all plays out. I'm sure everything will work out in the end but something tells me it's going to be a bumpy ride.
TYRANT - 3.5 stars
I finished it a little before midnight and got all the answers I needed but I honestly didn't see a lot of it coming. I liked how the author put some serious thought into who was who and how it was going to link it all together in the end.
I still love Preppy!!
LAWLESS - 3 stars
I liked Bear so I was interested in what girl was going to turn his head and never did I think a little girl who he made a promise to ten years ago would be the one. I loved that scene! BUT what is with this series and ten year age gaps?
I have to also admit that by the end of this that I was beginning to lose interest in this series. It's being dragged out for too long. Just go and kill your arse of a dad already!
SOULLESS - DNF
I lost interest in this. I got fed up of the same stuff happening. People want him dead. People just seem to want everyone dead in this series and I didn't care anymore, hence me getting to chapter four and not wanting to carry on.
It might have been better if i'd read something in between each book to break them up somewhat.
I stand by what I keep saying about Preppy being my favourite and I might read his story when it's released but for the rest of them. Nope.
Becs (244 KP) rated What a Wicked Web We Weave in Books
Oct 2, 2019
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, New-Adult
Type: Stand-alone
Audience/ Reading Level: 18+
Interests: Murder, Fraud, Law Enforcement, Sexual Assault, Family.
Point of View: Honestly, I’m not sure because the views changed all the time.
Promise: What a Wicked Web We Weave is a novel full of mystery, intrigue, murder, revenge, fraud and betrayal amongst many other things. It has several twists and turns as you get enthralled into each chapter and it will leave the reader in suspense and at the edge of their seat, right up to the end.
Insights: I really was hoping to love this little book. But I just couldn’t get over how much the author blew over certain controversial topics and how he wrote this novel. The story was there, there was background on not only the characters but also the story. But I won’t be reading this book again because it wasn’t as enjoyable as I thought it would be. There was also a massive amount of grammatical errors that took away from the surrounding story. Finally, the plot was not the greatest. Two out of five stars.
Can we talk about how the author thought writing a sexual assault scene and then blowing it off like it meant nothing was okay? Also, can we talk about the fact that the victims brother and his lover thought it was alright to go back to the assailant’s room and assualt him in return? I do not take lightly to sexual assualt and this just really put me off on the rest of the story.
Favorite Quotes: “Tony Lodge eat your heart out.”
“‘It’s going to be a long night,’ Tony thoight. ‘Come to Tony you asshole.'”
What will you gain?: An interesting story that is not the greatest read.
Aesthetics: I was intrigued by the synopsis when I first requested this. But I’m majorly disappointed with the way the author set up this novel.
Type: Stand-alone
Audience/ Reading Level: 18+
Interests: Murder, Fraud, Law Enforcement, Sexual Assault, Family.
Point of View: Honestly, I’m not sure because the views changed all the time.
Promise: What a Wicked Web We Weave is a novel full of mystery, intrigue, murder, revenge, fraud and betrayal amongst many other things. It has several twists and turns as you get enthralled into each chapter and it will leave the reader in suspense and at the edge of their seat, right up to the end.
Insights: I really was hoping to love this little book. But I just couldn’t get over how much the author blew over certain controversial topics and how he wrote this novel. The story was there, there was background on not only the characters but also the story. But I won’t be reading this book again because it wasn’t as enjoyable as I thought it would be. There was also a massive amount of grammatical errors that took away from the surrounding story. Finally, the plot was not the greatest. Two out of five stars.
Can we talk about how the author thought writing a sexual assault scene and then blowing it off like it meant nothing was okay? Also, can we talk about the fact that the victims brother and his lover thought it was alright to go back to the assailant’s room and assualt him in return? I do not take lightly to sexual assualt and this just really put me off on the rest of the story.
Favorite Quotes: “Tony Lodge eat your heart out.”
“‘It’s going to be a long night,’ Tony thoight. ‘Come to Tony you asshole.'”
What will you gain?: An interesting story that is not the greatest read.
Aesthetics: I was intrigued by the synopsis when I first requested this. But I’m majorly disappointed with the way the author set up this novel.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Ad Astra (2019) in Movies
Oct 9, 2019
An atmospheric slow-burner
I usually can't stand films that are slow burners as I just don't have the interest or the patience, but there's something about Ad Astra that really appealed to me.
For starters, it's one of the most realistic sci-fi films I've seen in a long time. It's a straight forward simple plot with no over elaborate schemes or plans, with a stark and immensely realistic view of what space travel would be like. No shiny spaceships or dodgy aliens to be seen. It's dark and gritty, and the ideas in here are so believable - right down to the commercialised Moon base. You spend the entire film expecting something to happen like it does in every other sci-fi, but it never does. Indeed there's a scene halfway through where the crew attend a ship broadcasting a distress call, and what happens is so unlike what you'd expect that it's both genius and downright hilarious. Whilst being a bit slow going in parts, this film doesn't waste any time with useless preamble - you're thrown into the main plot right from the opening scene and it gets straight down to business. It's just a shame that later on it gets a bit bogged down.
The cinematography is mostly fantastic. The music and effects are spot on, although I did think some of the way this was shot made it look a little dated and cheap, and there's rather too many close up shots of Brad Pitt's face. Pitt is very good in this, a step up from the very disappointing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood but I did find his voiceover cheesy and grating at times. Still despite it's negatives, this is a very atmospheric and often tense sci-fi, which is strange considering not very much happens. The ending is perhaps a letdown or anticlimax and if they had made this slightly less of a slow-burner, it would be a perfect example and how best to do a proper sci-fi.
For starters, it's one of the most realistic sci-fi films I've seen in a long time. It's a straight forward simple plot with no over elaborate schemes or plans, with a stark and immensely realistic view of what space travel would be like. No shiny spaceships or dodgy aliens to be seen. It's dark and gritty, and the ideas in here are so believable - right down to the commercialised Moon base. You spend the entire film expecting something to happen like it does in every other sci-fi, but it never does. Indeed there's a scene halfway through where the crew attend a ship broadcasting a distress call, and what happens is so unlike what you'd expect that it's both genius and downright hilarious. Whilst being a bit slow going in parts, this film doesn't waste any time with useless preamble - you're thrown into the main plot right from the opening scene and it gets straight down to business. It's just a shame that later on it gets a bit bogged down.
The cinematography is mostly fantastic. The music and effects are spot on, although I did think some of the way this was shot made it look a little dated and cheap, and there's rather too many close up shots of Brad Pitt's face. Pitt is very good in this, a step up from the very disappointing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood but I did find his voiceover cheesy and grating at times. Still despite it's negatives, this is a very atmospheric and often tense sci-fi, which is strange considering not very much happens. The ending is perhaps a letdown or anticlimax and if they had made this slightly less of a slow-burner, it would be a perfect example and how best to do a proper sci-fi.
Survivors: the Quest®
Games and Entertainment
App
Three strangers find themselves stranded on a secluded island. Abandoned buildings, an old laptop...